Why Only Sleep Training at Night Doesn’t Work — The Real Key Is in the Daytime

One of the biggest misconceptions I see in families starting sleep training is the idea that you only need to focus on nighttime sleep. Parents often think, “If I can just get my baby to sleep through the night, we’ll be good.” But here’s the truth: nighttime sleep doesn’t exist in a vacuum. In fact, you cannot successfully sleep train at night without first addressing what’s happening during the day.

In my work as a pediatric sleep consultant, I’ve coached hundreds of families through this journey, and I’ll tell you right now—daytime naps and feedings are just as critical as bedtime routines. Let’s talk about why.

1. Daytime Naps Build the Foundation for Nighttime Sleep

If your baby isn’t napping well during the day, they’re more likely to be overtired by bedtime. And overtired babies don’t sleep better—they sleep worse. They fight bedtime, they wake more frequently during the night, and they often start their day way too early.

Sleep pressure (the biological drive to sleep) builds throughout the day, and naps help regulate this pressure. If your baby’s naps are all over the place or they’re only sleeping in your arms or on the go, they’re not getting restorative sleep. That means by bedtime, they’re wired and exhausted—not a good combo for sleep training.

Consistency during the day helps teach your baby that their crib is a safe, predictable space—not just at night, but always. We want babies to learn that the crib is where sleep happens, both during the light of day and in the dark of night. That way, when you lay them down at bedtime, it’s already familiar. They’ve been practicing all day.

2. Feedings: It’s Not About Cutting Night Feeds—It’s About Restructuring

Another common mistake I see is when parents try to cut night feeds without adjusting daytime feeds. But if your baby is still waking out of genuine hunger, you’ll be fighting a losing battle.

Babies don’t just wake out of habit—they wake because their body tells them to. If they aren’t getting enough calories during the day, they’ll keep waking at night for food. And honestly, they should. We can’t train hunger out of a baby. That wouldn’t be developmentally appropriate—or fair.

What we do instead is gradually shift calories to the day. That means:

• Offering full, efficient feeds every 2.5–3.5 hours during the day.

• Being intentional with how we space feedings so babies aren't snacking all day and still needing calories overnight.

• Tracking ounces (or minutes, if nursing) to be sure their daily intake meets their needs.

• Keeping the first feed of the day within 30 minutes of wake time to anchor the day’s routine.

When we do this, babies naturally begin to consolidate sleep at night because their bodies are getting what they need during the day.

3. A Consistent Start Time Sets the Clock

I always tell families: start the day at the same time every morning. Why? Because this is how we set your baby’s internal clock. Just like you have an alarm for work, your baby needs a consistent wake-up time to begin establishing healthy rhythms.

That wake-up time should guide the whole day—naps, feedings, bedtime. When we let babies sleep in or start the day at random times, we lose predictability. That means naps get pushed back, bedtime gets off track, and the whole schedule can fall apart. But with consistency, the body learns what to expect. And babies thrive on predictability.

4. Bedtime Consistency Anchors the Night

A consistent bedtime (typically between 6:30–7:30 PM depending on age and nap length) is the final piece of the puzzle. When bedtime shifts around too much, we often see disrupted sleep, frequent night wakings, and early morning starts.

Here’s what your baby learns with a consistent bedtime:

• Their body knows when to start producing melatonin (the sleep hormone).

• They feel secure knowing what’s coming next.

• Sleep becomes a routine, not a surprise.

Here’s What It Looks Like in Practice

Let’s say your 6-month-old is waking up five times a night. You decide to start sleep training, but you’re only focusing on bedtime. During the day, naps are inconsistent, feedings are random, and your baby sometimes catnaps in your arms.

Chances are, you’re going to hit a wall.

But if you begin the day at the same time each morning, space out feedings to ensure full intake, encourage naps in the crib, and maintain a consistent bedtime—then your baby will begin to respond to nighttime training.

Sleep is not just one moment. It’s a full-day rhythm.

Final Thoughts: Train the Whole Day, Not Just the Night

When we think of sleep training, it’s tempting to picture only the nighttime routine—bath, book, bed. But real sleep success comes from what you do the other 12 hours of the day. Focus on naps. Focus on feeding. Anchor the day with consistency.

Because when your baby knows what to expect all day long, they sleep more soundly at night—and so do you.

FAQ:

Q: Should I sleep train for naps and night at the same time?
A: Yes, if your baby is developmentally ready. It helps reinforce that sleep happens in the crib, and the more practice they get during the day, the faster they'll adapt at night.

Q: My baby still wakes to feed at night—should I stop all feedings during sleep training?
A: No. If your baby needs a feed, we keep it—but we shift more ounces to daytime gradually. Always work with your pediatrician or sleep consultant if you're unsure.

Q: What time should I start the day?
A: I typically recommend between 6:30–7:00 AM and keep it consistent—even on weekends!

Q: What if my baby catnaps during the day?
A: That’s often a sign they’re overtired or not used to crib naps. Practice one nap a day in the crib and work your way up. With time and consistency, nap length will improve.

If you’re feeling stuck, remember: sleep training is a process. It’s not about strict rules—it’s about building rhythms your baby can rely on. And when you focus on both day and night, you’ll start to see real, lasting change.

Let’s build better sleep—one day at a time.